Federal Affairs Director (Washington, D.C.)

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is hiring a Federal Affairs Director to help advance our reform agenda in Washington, D.C. In this role, you’ll support FGA’s outreach and relationship-building efforts on Capitol Hill, working directly with members of Congress, staff, and federal agencies to turn policy ideas into real-world results.

This is a hands-on role for someone ready to work hard and thrive in a fast-paced environment. You’ll be in the room where strategy meets action—building trust, identifying opportunities, and driving progress on FGA’s top federal priorities. If you’re motivated, organized, and eager to make an impact, this role will challenge you and reward you in equal measure.

The ideal candidate will have two to three years of experience in federal policy, government affairs, or related political roles, along with the judgment and drive to build strong relationships and deliver results. Candidates must live in the Washington, D.C. area or be willing to relocate.

CULTURE AND FIT

The people who consistently succeed at FGA are those whose actions and behavior reflect our five Core Values. If you adhere to these values and answer “yes” to each of the following questions, you may be a fit.

1.  Candid to Solve: Being willing to have tough conversations in order to solve issues and build trust.

• Do you seek out constructive feedback—and provide it to others—to solve issues and build trust with coworkers? 

2.  Grow or Die: We don’t have a neutral gear; we must consistently challenge ourselves and each other to grow in our talents and skills.

• Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and do you seek out complementary skills and growth in order to mitigate your weaknesses? 

3.  Politically Savvy: Policy doesn’t change in a vacuum, but in a political reality that we must understand and account for.

• Do you agree that embracing the realities of politics is necessary to change public policy? 

4.  Partnership-Oriented: Internal and external relationships are not transactional. That starts with our team members and the perspective that we need the rest of the team to succeed in order to win personally.

• Are you comfortable creating your own structure for work, such as setting work hours, your own priorities, and creating clarity and a work plan from a broad goal? 

5.  Bought in to Win: We’re at FGA because we want to change policy. No one is counting hours or widgets. We are here to get results, and sometimes, that will require going the extra mile or doing a job that isn’t technically ours.

• Do you fully support FGA’s mission and believe that lives are improved through work, not welfare, and that free markets create more freedom and opportunity than government control?

The vast majority of those who don’t get hired (or don’t last) at FGA are due to a lack of fit with these values. Be prepared to have very candid conversations about them in our interview process.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As Federal Affairs Director, you will have three primary roles broken down into key responsibilities. They are:

1.  Support Federal Outreach and Strategy

• Work with FGA’s senior leaders to develop and execute outreach plans for your policy portfolio, helping turn smart conservative ideas into real results.
• Track federal activity, anticipate opportunities, and help ensure our priorities are positioned for success in both Congress and the executive branch.

2.  Turn Federal Policy Ideas into Reality

• Serve as a key point of contact for your assigned issue areas, coordinating communication and follow-up between policymakers and FGA’s internal teams.
• Support meetings with congressional offices and agencies—preparing materials, taking notes, and helping move conversations toward action.

3.  Build Relationships and Network Cultivation

• You will be responsible (and accountable) for building the relationships and facilitating the teamwork—both internal and external—needed to get big policy wins across the finish line.
• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with policymakers, staff, and key allies in Washington, D.C.

REQUIREMENTS

• 2–3 years of experience in federal policy, government affairs, or related political roles.
• Comfortable operating on Capitol Hill and available for regular in-person meetings in Washington, D.C.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers and staff.
• Excellent communicator with strong judgment, attention to detail, and follow through.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Match FGA’s Core Values (described above).

TIMING, LOCATION, AND COMPENSATION

FGA is seeking to fill this position as soon as possible. The Federal Affairs Director must reside in the Washington, D.C. metro area and be available for frequent in-person meetings on and around Capitol Hill. This role requires a consistent presence in D.C. to build relationships, attend meetings with policymakers and staff, and represent FGA’s priorities in person.

FGA’s headquarters are in Naples, FL, but nearly all of our staff work remotely from across the country. Our systems and culture are built for clarity, flexibility, and great communication. Key elements of our environment include:

• Quarterly in-person team meetings at which you’ll build deeper relationships, set clear goals aligned with FGA’s big vision, and brainstorm how to seize new opportunities
• An intensive 90-day orientation to familiarize you with the FGA team, our policies, and how we operate
• Home office setup, including equipment and communication tools you need to hit the ground running

FGA offers a competitive salary between $120,000–$150,000, depending on experience and qualifications, along with a benefits package that includes a six percent retirement match, health benefits, and generous paid leave.